Drapery carrier installation system and method of use

ABSTRACT

A drapery carrier installation system includes carriers, each having a carrier body and to engage with a track for hanging drapery; an installation rack for holding the carriers relative to one another prior to installation, the installation rack having protrusions for engaging with the carriers; the carriers are secured above the top surface of the installation rack; and the installation rack is removed via a downward or sideways force applied to the installation rack, thereby releasing the installation rack from each of the carriers.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to ripple drapery systems, andmore specifically, to a system and method for installation of aplurality of drapery carriers in a quick and efficient way. The systemutilizes an installation track that is engages with a plurality ofcarriers such that the plurality of carriers are aligned for easyinstallation in a drapery hanger rack.

2. Description of Related Art

Ripple drapery systems are well known in the art and are effective meansto hang drapery. Conventional systems can include a number of devicesthat engage with a track and/or cable and receive drapery, therebyallowing for the drapery to be opened and closed. Conventionally,drapery carriers are installed one by one into a drapery track, which istime consuming and tedious for the person installing them.

It is an object of the present invention to provide for an installationrack that can be used to install a plurality of drapery carrierssimultaneously and efficiently, thereby cutting down on time involved ininstallation of the drapery.

The present invention will disclose two embodiments of an installationrack that can be easily and efficiently used to install the plurality ofdrapery carriers, it will be appreciated that minor modifications to theembodiments shown will fall within the scope of this disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of thepresent application are set forth in the appended claims. However, theembodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and furtherobjectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by referenceto the following detailed description when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a drapery carrier installation system inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the system of FIG. 1 with a plurality ofcarriers engaged with the installation rack;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the system of FIG. 1 with the pluralityof carriers being installed in a drapery track;

FIG. 4 is a side view depicting a downward force used to disengage theinstallation rack from the plurality of carriers of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a drapery carrier installation system inaccordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the system of FIG. 5 with a plurality ofcarriers engaged with the installation rack;

FIG. 7 depicts an isometric view of a sideways force used to disengagethe installation rack from the plurality of carriers of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of installation in accordance with thepresent application.

While the system and method of use of the present application issusceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specificembodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawingsand are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however,that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended tolimit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on thecontrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the presentapplication as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the presentapplication are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that inthe development of any actual embodiment, numerousimplementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve thedeveloper's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effortmight be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routineundertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure.

The system and method of use in accordance with the present applicationovercomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonlyassociated with conventional drapery carrier installation systems.Specifically, the present invention utilizes an installation rack toalign a plurality of drapery carriers such that the plurality ofcarriers can be installed within a drapery track simultaneously. Theseand other unique features of the system and method of use are discussedbelow and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The system and method of use will be understood, both as to itsstructure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken inconjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments ofthe system are presented herein. It should be understood that variouscomponents, parts, and features of the different embodiments may becombined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which arewithin the scope of the present application, even though not allvariations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. Itshould also be understood that the mixing and matching of features,elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expresslycontemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art wouldappreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/orfunctions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodimentas appropriate, unless described otherwise.

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Itis chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention andits application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art tofollow its teachings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identifycorresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS.1-4 depict various views of a first embodiment of a drapery carrierinstallation system 101 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent application. It will be appreciated that system 101 overcomesone or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated withconventional drapery systems.

In the contemplated embodiment, system 101 includes a plurality ofdrapery carriers 103 each having a carrier body 105 with one or moregrooves 107, and further having one or more wheels 109 to engage with adrapery track 301. In some embodiments, it is contemplated that thecarriers can be without wheels depending on the style needed by theuser. It should be appreciated that the exact embodiment of the draperycarrier can vary. The installation system 101 further includes aninstallation rack 111 that is configured to receive and hold theplurality of carriers in an aligned configuration, thereby providing foreasy installation. In this embodiment, the installation rack 111includes a base plate 113 with a plurality of sections 115, each of theplurality of sections 115 having a button 117 extending from a topsurface 121. Each button 117 is configured to engage with the groove ofthe 107 of the carrier body, thereby securing the carrier body to thetop surface, as shown in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the installationrack 111 further includes cutouts 123.

In FIG. 3 the installation system 101 is shown engaging with track 301.It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believedcharacteristic of the present invention is that the plurality ofcarriers are secured in an alignment, thereby allowing for easyengagement of the plurality of carriers with the track 301.

In FIG. 4, removal of the installation rack 111 is shown. As shown, oncethe plurality of carriers 103 are positioned within the track 301, theinstallation rack is removed as the plurality of buttons 117 aredisengaged from the plurality of drapery carriers 103 via a downwardforce (A). The buttons 117 are configured to snap out of place, therebyleaving the plurality of carriers behind in the track 301 and ready forreceiving a drapery.

In FIGS. 5-7, an alternative embodiment of a drapery carrierinstallation system 501 is shown. System 501 is similar to system 101 inform and fashion, and includes a plurality of carriers 503, each havinga carrier body 505 with one or more grooves 507, and one or more wheels509 configured to engage with a drapery track 701. In this embodiment,an installation rack 511 is provided with a base plate 513 that includesa plurality of tabs 515 that extend out to the side and are configuredto engage with the plurality of carriers, as shown in FIG. 6. It shouldbe appreciated that the plurality of tabs 515 will flex to allow forattachment and removal. As shown, the installation rack 511 can furtherinclude a vertical wall 517 with a plurality of cutouts 521.

In FIG. 7, removal of the installation rack 511 is shown. As shown, inthis embodiment, a sideways force (B) is applied to the installationrack 511, thereby removing disengaging the installation rack from theplurality of carriers, while leaving the plurality of carriers withinthe track 701 simultaneously.

In FIG. 8, a flowchart depicts the method of use of the installationsystem. During use, an installation rack with a plurality of protrusions(either buttons or tabs as described above) is engaged with a pluralityof carriers, as shown with boxes 803,805. The plurality of draperycarriers are then engaged with a drapery track simultaneously, as shownwith box 807. The user then applies either a sideways force or adownward force to remove the installation rack, leaving behind theplurality of carriers, as shown with box 809.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as theembodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalentmanners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of theteachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particularembodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all suchvariations are considered within the scope and spirit of theapplication. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forthin the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above,they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable tovarious changes and modifications without departing from the spiritthereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A drapery carrier installation system,comprising: a plurality of carriers, each having; a carrier body havinga vertically extending portion substantially perpendicular to ahorizontally extending portion; at least one wheel attached to thevertically extending portion configured to engage with a track; and atleast one groove extending inward from an edge of the horizontallyextending portion; an installation rack for holding the plurality ofcarriers relative to one another prior to installation, the installationrack having: a base plate having a plurality of sections connectedtogether to form the base plate, the base plate forming a horizontal,substantially flat top surface, each of the plurality of sections havinga button extending vertically upward, the horizontal substantially flattop surface being wholly positioned underneath the button of eachsection; wherein the installation rack is configured to be attached tothe plurality of carriers by the buttons engaging the at least onegroove, and the substantially flat top surface abutting the horizontalportions of the carriers; and wherein the installation rack isconfigured to be removed by disengaging the button from the at least onegroove.